I think with the elderly it is really to do with their physical abilities or lack of xx

Many want to take up the offer and invitations by it is very much like hard work to get ready, they probably even forget about an event till it's too late. 

My hubby is a good example of that, I'm his carer he being a lot older than me and suffers a variety of medical conditions where it is hard to do just even the simplest of things like dress and prepare a meal, it makes him not want to try. I'm the one that is more the lonely one, and im the one more capable physically (id say mentally too but some would say thats debatable) lol.

It has a lot to do with confidence and fealing safe and secure too.